Shooting game processing method

ABSTRACT

A shooting game processing method used in a shooting game system consisting of a shooting game console and a light gun, where when the light gun transmits a wireless shooting signal to the shooting game console, the shooting game console judges whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches the coordinate value of the shooting target and adds a value to the score-multiplication zone when matched, and then the shooting game console stores the coordinate value of the shooting signal and judges whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches one storage coordinate value and then combines the value displayed on the score-multiplication display zone and the score of the shooting that hit the shooting target to obtain a total score for display on a score display zone.

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan patent application number 098200434 filed on Jan. 10, 2009 and number 098142775 filed on Dec. 14, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shooting game and more particularly, to a shooting game processing method where the shooting game console judges whether or not the target is being repeatedly hit when the player operates a light gun to transmits a series of shooting signals, and then multiplies the score when the result of the judgment is positive.

2. Description of the Related Art

To satisfy different shooting game players' desire for experiencing different techniques, shooting game suppliers keep creating different virtual-reality shooting games. Further, many target-shooting and balloon-shooting games are commercially available. In a conventional balloon-shooting game, multiple balloons are arranged on a target board, and an air soft BB gun is used with air soft bullets by the player to shoot the balloons.

Taiwan Patent Publication Number M244432 discloses a shooting game system, as shown in FIG. 8, which comprises a target board A having holes A1 thereon, a sensor unit B mounted on the back side of the target board A and a signal generator C mounted on the target board A opposite to the sensor unit B. The sensor unit B comprises a striker plate B1 arranged corresponding to each hole A1, a switching lever B2 connected to the striker plate B and a tack switch B3 switchable by the switching lever B2. The signal generator C is electrically connected with the sensor unit B by electric wires, comprising a score counter C1 and a speaker C2. When the player operates an air soft BB gun to shoot an air soft BB bullet toward the target board A and the air soft BB bullet enters one hole A1 to hit the associating striker plate B1, the associating switching lever B2 will be forced to trigger the tact switch B3, causing the tact switch B3 to provides a signal to the signal generator C, thereby causing the score counter C1 to count the score and the speaker C2 to output a sound, enhancing the reality of the shooting and avoiding dispute in the recognition of the shooting result. However, this shooting game system is still not satisfactory in functions due to the following drawbacks:

-   1. This shooting game system consists of a number of components,     resulting in a complicated structure. Further, because this shooting     game system requires a big installation space, it is simply     applicable for commercial application not suitable for home use. -   2. This shooting game system consists of a number of components that     are expensive and complicated to install. Further, it takes much     time to install this shooting game system. -   3. This shooting game system uses an air soft BB gun with air soft     BB bullets to shoot the target. Because the motion track of an air     soft BB bullet shows a parabolic curve, it is difficult to     accurately control the shooting. Further, a child may eat the air     soft BB bullet accidentally. Further, an air soft BB bullet may be     lost when fired. Further, when one air soft BB bullet hits the     target board beyond the holes, it may jump back to hit anyone     nearby.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a shooting game that eliminates the problems of the various conventional designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a shooting game processing method is used in a shooting game system consisting of a shooting game console and a light gun, wherein when the light gun transmits a wireless shooting signal to the shooting game console, the shooting game console judges whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches the coordinate value of the shooting target and adds a value to the score-multiplication zone when matched, and then the shooting game console stores the coordinate value of the shooting signal and judges whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches one storage coordinate value and then combines the value displayed on the score-multiplication display zone and the score of the shooting that hit the shooting target to obtain a total score for display on a score display zone. Thus, the invention makes the score counting versatile and adds interest to the game.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the number of shootings of the light gun is preset for each game cycle. Further, the shooting game console can judge whether or not the amount of bullets is zeroed, and then judge whether or not a bullet-reloading signal is received from the light gun after the amount of bullets has been zeroed. When a bullet-reloading signal is received at this time, the shooting game console resumes the amount of bullets to the initial setting. This method greatly enhances the virtual reality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a shooting game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the processing flow of the shooting game console of the shooting game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a light gun coordinate value correction processing flow of the of the shooting game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the outer appearance of the shooting game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate form of the of the shooting game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the shooting game console score counting processing flow of the shooting game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the light gun bullet reloading processing flow of the shooting game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the outer appearance of a shooting game system according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a shooting game system in accordance with the present invention comprises a light gun 1 and a shooting game console 2.

The light gun 1 is the control device of the shooting game system, having mounted therein a video camera 11, button unit 12, a position computation unit 13 and a wireless signal transmission interface 14. The video camera 11 and the button unit 12 are electrically connected to the position computation unit 13, which is electrically connected to the wireless signal transmission interface 14. The button unit 12 includes one shooting button 121. Function buttons 122 (such as clear button, bullet reloading control button, etc.) may be added to the button unit 12. The shooting game console 2 comprises a wireless signal receiving interface 21, a control module 22, an on-screen target 23, an electronic score board 24 and a sound module 25. The wireless signal receiving interface 21 is electrically connected to the control module 22 and adapted to receive a wireless signal from the wireless signal transmission interface 14. The control module 22 is electrically connected with the on-screen target 23, the electronic score board 24 and the sound module 25 respectively. The on-screen target 23 has an infrared positioning device 231 and a lighting display device 232. Further, the electronic score board 24 can be a 7-segment display or TFT-LCD panel.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 1 again, a player can use the light gun 1 to shoot the shooting game console 2, causing the shooting game console 2 to react to the shooting. When the shooting game console 2 is started, it runs as follows:

(100) Start

-   (101) The shooting game console 2 judges whether or not a shooting     signal from the light gun 1 is received, and then returns to step     (100) when negative, or proceed to step (102) when positive. -   (102) The shooting game console 2 transmits the shooting signal to     the control module 22. -   (103) The control module 22 analyzes the coordinate position of the     shooting signal on the on-screen target 23. -   (104) The control module 22 judges whether or not the shooting     signal falls within a predetermined coordinate location, and then     proceeds to step (105) when positive, or step (106) when negative. -   (105) The control module 22 transmits a respective score signal to     the lighting display device 232 of the on-screen target 23, the     electronic score board 24 and the sound module 25, and then proceeds     to step (107). -   (106) The control module 22 transmits “miss” signal to the sound     module 25. -   (107) Returns to step (100).

As stated above, by means of the control module 22, the shooting game console 2 judges whether or not a shooting signal is received from the wireless signal transmission interface 14 of the light gun 1 by the wireless signal receiving interface 21. If the wireless signal receiving interface 21 receives a shooting signal from the wireless signal transmission interface 14 of the light gun 1, it immediately transmits the shooting signal to the control module 22, enabling the control module 22 to analyze and count the coordinates value of the shooting signal on the on-screen target 23. Thereafter, the control module 22 judges whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting signal falls within the range of a predetermined series of reference coordinate values. If the coordinate value of the shooting signal falls within the range of the series of reference coordinate values, the control module 22 judges the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches which reference coordinate value, i.e., the on-screen target 23 is divided into different coordinate areas each having a respective reference coordinate value for a respective score. According to the present invention, the coordinate areas of the on-screen target 23 are arranged one surrounding another in a concentric manner. If the coordinate value of the shooting signal falls within one specific coordinate area of the on-screen target 23, the corresponding reference coordinate value is matched and the corresponding score is counted. Thereafter, the control module 22 transmits the corresponding score signal to the lighting display device 232 of the on-screen target 23, the electronic score board 24 and the sound module 25, driving the electronic score board 24 to display the corresponding score, the lighting display device 232 to produce a corresponding lighting effect and the sound module 25 to produce a corresponding sound effect.

If the coordinate value of the shooting signal is beyond the range of the predetermined series of reference coordinate values, the control module 22 transmits a “miss” signal to the sound module 25, driving the sound module 25 to produce a sound effect indicative of a miss shooting. These sound and lighting effects to indicate the shooting result enhances the flavor of the shooting game.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 1 again, for enabling the light gun 1 to aim the shooting signal at the coordinate areas (the range of a predetermined series of reference coordinate values) of the on-screen target 23 accurately, the following shooting procedure is performed. When the light gun 1 is started, it runs subject to the following steps:

(200) Start

-   (201) The video camera 11 of the light gun 1 scans and catches the     image of the on-screen target 23 of the shooting game console 2 at a     predetermined time interval. -   (202) The video camera 11 transmits the picked image to the position     computation unit 13. -   (203) The position computation unit 13 analyzes the image, thereby     obtaining the coordinate value of the infrared positioning device     231. -   (204) The position computation unit 13 defines the range of the     on-screen target 23 subject to the coordinate value of the infrared     positioning device 231 thus obtained, and counts the coordinate     value of the shooting center of the video camera 11 on the on-screen     target 23. -   (205) The position computation unit 13 uses the data of the     coordinate value of the shooting center of the video camera 11 on     the on-screen target 23 and the defined range of the on-screen     target 23 to make a proportional counting, thereby obtaining the     coordinate value of the aimed point of the light gun 1. -   (206) The position computation unit 13 receives a status signal from     the button unit 12. -   (207) The position computation unit 13 transmits the coordinate     value of the aimed point of the light gun 1 and the status signal of     the button unit 12 to the control module 22 for processing. -   (208) Return to step (200).

The light gun 1 transmits the coordinate value of the aimed point of the light gun 1 and the status signal of the button unit 12 to the control module 22 wirelessly through the wireless signal transmission interface 14. The status signal produced by the button unit 12 can be a shooting signal produced by the shooting button 121, or a bullet reloading control signal or clear signal produced by the function buttons 122. The video camera 11 of the light gun 1 scans and catches the image of the on-screen target 23 of the shooting game console 2 at a predetermined time interval, and transmits each picked image to the position computation unit 13. The position computation unit 13 analyzes the image received from the video camera 11, thereby obtaining the coordinate value of the infrared positioning device 231 of the on-screen target 23. Based on the coordinate value of the infrared positioning device 231, the position computation unit 13 defines the range of the on-screen target 23, and then counts the coordinate value of the shooting center of the video camera 11 on the on-screen target 23. Thereafter, the position computation unit 13 uses the data of the coordinate value of the shooting center of the video camera 11 on the on-screen target 23 and the defined range of the on-screen target 23 to calculate the coordinate value of the aimed point of the light gun 1. If a status signal is produced by the button unit 12 at this time, the light gun 1 will immediately transmit the signal of the coordinate value of the aimed point of the light gun 1 and the status signal (for example, shooting signal) of the button unit 12 to the wireless signal receiving interface 21 of the shooting game console 2 through the wireless signal transmission interface 14 wirelessly. Upon receipt of a wireless signal from the light gun 1, the wireless signal receiving interface 21 immediately transmits the received signal to the control module 11 for reading, so that the shooting game console 2 can make a corresponding reaction.

Further, the predetermined time interval as stated at step (201) can be set by the system manager.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 1 again, the design can set the range of the concentrically arranged coordinate areas (reference coordinate values) of the on-screen target 23, and stored the setting in the shooting game console 2. The concentrically arranged coordinate areas of the on-screen target 23 are designated in proper order from the center toward the outward to be scored 100 points, 80 points, 50 points, 40 points, 30 points, 20 points and 10 points respectively. If the coordinate value of the shooting signal received from the light gun 1 matches the coordinate area to be scored 50 points, the control module 22 immediately transmits a corresponding score signal to the electronic score board 24, driving the electronic score board 24 to display the score of 50 points. At the same time, the control module 22 transmits the score signal to the sound module 25, driving the sound module 25 to produce a corresponding sound indicative of the score of 50 points. If the player cannot see the indication of the electronic score board 24 due to a sight problem, the player can still know the scoring by the sound from the sound module 25. Further, the control module 22 can also transmit the score signal to the lighting display device 232 of the on-screen target 23, causing it to produce a lighting signal, for example, to light up the corresponding coordinate area.

Further, if the control module 22 receives a next shooting signal from the light gun 1 to produce another score signal, the control module 22 will transmit this new score signal to the electronic score board 24 again. At this time, the electronic score board 24 will add the score. Further, the sound signal to be produced by the sound module 25 can be the sound signal indicative of “hit the target”, the sound signal indicative of the points the current shooting scored or the sound signal indicative of the cumulative scores.

If the player wishes to zero the score of the electronic score board 24, the player can reset the shooting game console 2 or click the clear button of the function buttons 122. When the player clicks the clear button of the function button 122, a corresponding status signal, i.e., the clear signal is produced and transmitted by the position computation unit 13 to the wireless signal receiving interface 21 of the shooting game console 2 through the wireless signal transmission interface 14 wirelessly. After receipt of the clear signal by the wireless signal transmission interface 14, the wireless signal transmission interface 14 transmits the clear signal to the control module 22, causing the control module 22 to transmit the clear signal to the electronic score board 24, thereby zeroing the score displayed.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the shooting game system may be various embodied. According to an alternate form of the present invention, the on-screen target 23 of the shooting game console 2 is divided into a shooting zone 233, a score-multiplication display zone 234 and a score display zone 235. The shooting zone 233 is divided into multiple shooting targets 237. The score-multiplication display zone 234 is adapted for displaying the score of a continuous series of shootings that hit the shooting targets 237. The score display zone 235 is adapted for displaying the score of every shooting that hits the shooting targets 237. The score-counting processing procedure is performed by the shooting game console 2 subject to the following steps:

-   (300) Transmit the 1 wireless shooting signal produced by the light     gun 1 to the control module 22. -   (301) Judge whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting     signal matches the coordinate values of the shooting targets 237,     and then proceed to step (302) when negative, or step (303) when     positive. -   (302) Transmit a zero-reading signal to the score-multiplication     display zone 234 of the shooting game console 2, and then return to     step (301). -   (303) Transmit a value signal to the score-multiplication display     zone 234 to add a value to the value displayed by the     score-multiplication display zone 234, and then store the coordinate     value of this shooting signal in the shooting game console 2. -   (304) Judge whether or not the multiple coordinate values of     multiple shooting signals stored in the shooting game console 2     match the coordinate value of one of the shooting targets 237, and     then return to step (300) when negative, or proceed to step (305)     when positive. -   (305) Combine the cumulative value displayed on the     score-multiplication display zone 234 and the score of the shooting     that hit the shooting target 237 to obtain a total score, and then     transmit this total score to the score display zone 235 for display.

This shooting game processing process is applicable to many different game contents, for example, the addictive Tetris-style arcade logic game of magic block. The shooting zone 233 is divided into multiple shooting targets 237 of different Tetris block shapes. For example, one shooting target 237 consists of a first coordinate value 2371, a second coordinate value 2372 and a third coordinate value 2373.

When the shooting button 121 of the light gun 1 is triggered, a shooting signal is transmitted by the shooting button 121 to the position computation unit 13. At this time, the position computation unit 13 runs the processing process as shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter, the coordinate value of the aimed point of the light gun 1 and the shooting signal are transmitted wirelessly by the wireless signal transmission interface 14 to the wireless signal receiving interface 21 and then transmitted by the wireless signal receiving interface 21 to the control module 22. At this time, the control module 22 analyzes and calculates the signals, judging whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches one of the coordinate values of the respective shooting target 237, for example, the first coordinate value 2371, the second coordinate value 2372 or the third coordinate value 2373. When not matched, the control module 22 provides a zero-reading signal to the score-multiplication display zone 234 to zero the reading. On the contrary, when matched, the control module 22 provides a value signal to the score-multiplication display zone 234 to add a value to the value displayed by the score-multiplication display zone 234. This manner enables the score to be repeatedly added to the score-multiplication display zone 234 when the player continuously hits the shooting target 237.

As stated above, each shooting target 237 consists of a first coordinate value 2371, a second coordinate value 2372 and a third coordinate value 2373. When the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches one coordinate value, for example, the first coordinate value 2371, the coordinate value of this shooting signal will be stored in the shooting game console 2. Further, when the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches all the coordinate values, the first coordinate value 2371, second coordinate value 2372 and third coordinate value 2373 of one shooting target 237, this shooting target 237 will disappear. At this time, the control module 22 reads the total value displayed on the score-multiplication display zone 234 and combines this value with the score of the shooting that hit the shooting target 237 to obtain a total score, and then transmit this total score to the score display zone 235 for display. Thus, the score for the shooting of the light gun 1 that hits totally one specific shooting target is displayed.

Further, before storing the coordinate value of the shooting signal, the shooting game console 2 will judge whether or not there is a same coordinate value stored therein, and will deny this shooting signal without making judgment, and therefore no any score will be added to the score-multiplication display zone 234 or the score display zone 235, avoiding adding a score when the player is continuously shooting the same location.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIGS. 1 and 5 again, the on-screen target 23 further has a firing number display zone 236 adapted for counting the number the player has shot. Subject to the display of the firing number display zone 236, the shooting game console 2 determines whether or not to reload the bullets and runs a bullet reloading processing process as follows:

(400) Start

-   (401) Set the amount of bullet for each game cycle to be N, and     display the number N on the firing number display zone 236 of the     on-screen target 23. -   (402) Judge whether or not the amount of bullet is zeroed, and then     proceed to step (405) when positive, or step (403) when negative. -   (403) Judge whether or not the light gun 1 transmits a shooting     signal to the control module 22 of the shooting game console 2. -   (404) Change the amount of bullet to be N−1, and then update the     display of the firing number display zone 236 of the on-screen     target 23 to be N−1, and then return to step (402). -   (405) Determine whether or not the light gun 1 transmits a bullet     reloading control signal to the shooting game console 2, and then     proceed to step (406) when positive, or return to step (402) when     negative. -   (406) The shooting game console 2 transmits a bullet reloading     control signal to the firing number display zone 236 of the     on-screen target 23 to resume the display of amount of bullet to N,     and then return to step (402).

The shooting game console 2 initially sets the amount of bullet the light gun 1 can shoot to be N. This number N is to be displayed on the firing number display zone 236 of the on-screen target 23. When the light gun 1 repeatedly transmits the shooting signal to the shooting game console 2, the control module 22 repeatedly transmits a signal to the firing number display zone 236 to reduce the displayed amount of bullet, thereby updating the display. Normally, when the control module 22 of the shooting game console 2 receives the shooting signal once, it reduces the displayed amount of bullet by 1. Further, the control module 22 of the shooting game console 2 can recognize whether or not the current amount of bullet reaches the set number N. If the current amount of bullet reaches the set number N, the control module 22 will then determine whether or not the light gun 1 transmits a bullet reloading control signal. When the control module 22 receives a bullet reloading control signal produced the light gun 1 at this time, the control module 22 resumes the amount of bullet to N. On the contrary, if the control module 22 does not receive a bullet reloading control signal from the light gun 1, the control module 22 will deny the shooting signal. Thus, the system controls the number of shootings of the light gun 1 for each game cycle and provides a bullet reloading function, enhancing virtual reality.

In conclusion, the above-described video shooting game processing method of the present invention has the following advantages:

-   1. When a player uses the light gun 1 to shoot the shooting game     console 2, the shooting game console 2 determines whether or not the     coordinate value of the shooting signal matches the coordinate     values of the shooting targets 237. When matches, a value is added     to the score-multiplication display zone 234, and the shooting game     console 2 will store the coordinate value of this shooting signal     and then judge whether or not this stored coordinate value matches     all the coordinate values of one shooting target When matched, the     cumulative value displayed on the score-multiplication display zone     234 and the score of the shooting that hit the shooting target 237     are combined into a total score. This shooting game processing     method can use the score-multiplication display zone 234 for     cumulating the score of continuous shootings that all hit the target     237. When one target is totally hit, the value displayed on the     score-multiplication display zone 234 are combined to produce a     total score. This method makes the score counting versatile and adds     interest to the game. -   2. The processing method of the shooting game system limits the     number of times of the transmission of the shooting signal for each     game cycle, and the shooting game console 2 judges whether or not     the amount of bullet is zeroed and whether or not a bullet reloading     control signal produced by the light gun 1 is received, and the     amount of bullet will be resumed to the initial setting if a bullet     reloading control signal is received by the shooting game console 2.     This manner enhances virtual reality. -   3. The on-screen target 23 has at least one infrared positioning     device 231. The infrared positioning device 231 is used as a     reference point for enabling the light gun 1 to aim at the target.     When the light gun 1 transmits a shooting signal to the shooting     game console 2, the control module 22 of the shooting game console 2     uses the coordinate value of the aimed point and the shooting signal     to obtain the coordinate value of the shooting signal.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A shooting game processing method used in a shooting game system comprising a shooting game console having a control module and a plurality of shooting targets and a light gun operable to shoot said shooting targets, the shooting game processing method comprising the steps of: (A) Transmit a wireless shooting signal produced by the light gun to the control module of the shooting game console; (B) Judge whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting signal matches the coordinate values of the shooting targets of the shooting game console, and then proceed to step (C) when negative, or step (D) when positive; (C) Transmit a zero-reading signal to a score-multiplication display zone of the shooting game console, and then return to step (b); (D) Transmit a value signal to the score-multiplication display zone of the shooting game console to add a value to the value displayed by the score-multiplication display zone, and then store the coordinate value of this shooting signal in the shooting game console; (E) Judge whether or not the multiple coordinate values of multiple shooting signals stored in the shooting game console match the coordinate value of one of the shooting targets, and then return to step (a) when negative, or proceed to step (f) when positive; and (F) Combine the cumulative value displayed on the score-multiplication display zone and the score of the shooting that hit the shooting target to obtain a total score, and then transmit this total score to a score display zone of the shooting game console for display.
 2. The shooting game processing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein when a wireless shooting signal produced by the light gun is transmitted to the shooting game console, the shooting game console runs an amount of bullet determination process that comprises the steps of: (a) Set the amount of bullet for each game cycle to be N, and display the number N on a firing number display zone of an on-screen target of the shooting game console; (b) Judge whether or not the amount of bullet is zeroed, and then proceed to step (e) when positive, or step (c) when negative. (c) Judge whether or not the light gun transmits a shooting signal to the control module of the shooting game console; (d) Change the amount of bullet to be N−1, and then update the display of a firing number display zone of the on-screen target to be N−1, and then return to step (b); (e) Determine whether or not the light gun transmits a bullet reloading control signal to the shooting game console, and then proceed to step (f) when positive, or return to step (b) when negative; and (f) The shooting game console transmits a bullet reloading control signal to the firing number display zone of the on-screen target to resume the display of amount of bullet to N, and then return to step (b).
 3. The shooting game processing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control module of the shooting game console transmits a score signal to a lighting display device, an electronic score board and a sound module of an on-screen target of the shooting game console if the result of the judgment at the step (D) is positive.
 4. The shooting game processing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control module of the shooting game console transmits a shooting miss signal to a sound module of the shooting game console if the result of the judgment at the step (D) is negative.
 5. The shooting game processing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light gun is controllable to transmit a wireless clear signal to the control module of the shooting game console for causing the control module to clear up the score displayed on an electronic score board of the shooting game console.
 6. The shooting game processing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the shooting game console receives a shooting signal from the light gun, the shooting game console judges whether or not the coordinate value of the shooting signal is same as one coordinate value stored therein, and then denies the shooting signal when the judgment result is positive. 